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  #16  
Old 06-10-2019, 09:39 AM
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Here are a couple NASA Astros that were on display at the presentation.

The Salvo NASA Astro and another NASA Astro with Rhodium plating layers showing that Gary bought from Perry Miller years ago. These 2 have been photographed and seen before. But the 3rd Astro in the photo, the one on the left, anything different about it that you notice? Gary has authentication that it was a NASA Astro knife as well.

IMG-20190608-155938505-HDR

Last edited by samg; 06-10-2019 at 11:56 AM.
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  #17  
Old 06-10-2019, 10:37 AM
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The 3rd knife is an early brown Micarta Solingen stamped on the Ricasso!
It is speculated that it was perhaps from the 2nd or 3rd batch of Astros ordered by NASA. We know that the 1st batch of NASA knives had the RANDALL MADE ORLANDO FLORIDA etched stamp, but could it be that the 3rd batch made in 1962 did not? Also note that it is in a canteen snap hkl sheath, with a vertical Randall stamp.
Whatever the case, it's the only brown Micarta Solingen Ricasso stamped Astro that I have seen. The brown Micarta is of the earliest batch, as used on the Astronauts personal knives.
Gary noted that the Micarta has a spray substance on it.

IMG-5597-1
IMG-5599-1

IMG-20190608-153400844-HDR

Last edited by samg; 06-10-2019 at 10:47 AM.
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  #18  
Old 06-10-2019, 10:52 AM
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Here is a photo of the NASA Solingen knives with the other early Astros, the Solingen blades typically were taller blades, edge to spine than the Orlando blades.

IMG-20190608-155515730-HDR
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  #19  
Old 06-10-2019, 11:04 AM
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On these 3 NASA knives, we were speculating whether the Salvo knife has the Rhodium plating as the one that has the exposed rhodium layering does. Both blades when observed has a satin looking finish. The 3rd Solingen stamped NASA knife appears to have the same standard finish that carbon steel does.

IMG-20190608-155941436-HDR

IMG-20190608-155728361-HDR
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  #20  
Old 06-10-2019, 01:47 PM
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As a side bar, it was great seeing all the regulars to the show. Spent some time with Gary Clinton of course, John Cheek and his outstanding collection, and Art Green. Art brought his Early 1937-37 Randall with fancy spacers and later etched Randall logo. The knife is earlier than Bo's logo stamp design with the scimitars. As you can see in the photo Art also had his Applegate stiletto and other great knives. Yes that's an early Scagel next to the Applegate!
Mitchell brought his great collection of early fighters as well. They were on display in the lobby.
Scott Maynard the Randall shop Foreman was there engaging in great conversation and thoughts of various unusual Randall's present. It was good to see you all.

IMG-20190608-165721249-HDR
IMG-20190608-170611239

Last edited by samg; 06-10-2019 at 02:39 PM.
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  #21  
Old 06-10-2019, 10:51 PM
jeepster jeepster is offline
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Sam my daughter was there and really enjoyed the presentation.
Very nice job you have done with this thread.
Ronnie
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  #22  
Old 06-11-2019, 11:00 AM
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Hi Ronnie
I saw on the other forum that she was there. Here is a picture that I took in the presentation, and I believe she is in it. You missed a good one Ronnie. It was great seeing all those Astros in one place. May never see the likes of it again.
Not sure who it was, but the man at the very left edge of the photo in the blue shirt, won the Astro that Gary gave away.
Including my brown Micarta, there were 2 more regular brown micartas, then the 3 NASA knives, for a total of 6 brown Micarta Astros! The Gemini knife was brown Micarta too.

IMG-20190608-144759526-HDR
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  #23  
Old 06-11-2019, 11:23 AM
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Here are 2 photos of all 6 early Astros!

1) Top 3 are Astros made for NASA between 1960-62. All 3 in the earliest brown Micarta, which I believe was linen. The 2nd generation brown Micarta (Bottom 3 Astros) was canvas. The 2 generations of Micarta have a distinctive look. I'll try to post a close-up of both.
Joe Dorsky has an excellent article on brown Micarta on his website.

http://www.rmkcollector.com/the-rand.../brown-micarta

2) Middle 2 Scaleless Astros as advertised in the 16th printing of the Randall catalog of 1963, less the thong holes.

3) Bottom 3 brown Micarta Astros made probably between 1963-1965. The bottom one is etched 1965.



IMG-20190608-160926100-HDR
IMG-20190609-231010

Last edited by samg; 06-11-2019 at 03:57 PM.
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  #24  
Old 06-11-2019, 01:21 PM
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I am attempting to give a closeup pic of the 2 generations of brown Micarta that Randall used on the Astros.
This 1st pic is of the earlier linen. This photo is of the handle on the Astro Bo Randall sent to the Smithsonian museum in 1961. This Micarta was used on the NASA knives.
Notice the linen "dot" look. Not grainy as the later Micarta looked. Lighter in color too.

IMG-20190611-141148

This 2nd generation Micarta was used on the brown Micarta Astros from approx 1963-65 when exhausted. Notice the fiber has a wavey long fibers look to it. Also seems to have a grain to it when observed at a bit more distance.

IMG-20190611-141227

Last edited by samg; 06-11-2019 at 01:23 PM.
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  #25  
Old 06-11-2019, 03:38 PM
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Here is a close-up of the Gordon Cooper Astro in the Randall Museum, illustrating the linen Micarta. That knife is tough to photograph because it's behind glass, but here it is.

IMG-20190131-102927562
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  #26  
Old 06-11-2019, 04:46 PM
jeepster jeepster is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samg View Post
Hi Ronnie
I saw on the other forum that she was there. Here is a picture that I took in the presentation, and I believe she is in it. You missed a good one Ronnie. It was great seeing all those Astros in one place. May never see the likes of it again.
Not sure who it was, but the man at the very left edge of the photo in the blue shirt, won the Astro that Gary gave away.
Including my brown Micarta, there were 2 more regular brown micartas, then the 3 NASA knives, for a total of 6 brown Micarta Astros! The Gemini knife was brown Micarta too.

IMG-20190608-144759526-HDR
Yes she’s there. Thanks for posting this photo Sam.
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  #27  
Old 06-11-2019, 07:28 PM
dirty water dirty water is offline
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Sam, what a great seminar!! You and Gary presented such a fantastic presentation, I believe it to be Blade's best EVER!! Y'all should consider writing a book! U certainly had enough information up there!!

Ronnie, met your daughter, very sweet girl, and she even took a photo with my father-in-law who was an original engineer on the Saturn 5 rockets!

Again Sam, BRAVO!!
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  #28  
Old 06-11-2019, 08:50 PM
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Thanks Scott, it was a pleasure assisting Gary with these outstanding Astros. He had quite the lineup of super rare Astros. Especially the brown Micarta Solingen in the canteen snap sheath! Talking about rare as hens teeth! We are fortunate that Bob Gaddis did so much research and put it together for us on the Astro.
If your father in law is at blade next year, I would like to chat with him about the Saturn program. Great stuff!
Thanks for attending Scott and to Gary for giving the Astro it's due and putting on a great program. I'm sure when he got them home he had to clean the drool off of them.
After Gary's presentation, we brought them back to his table, and he let me bring them out to take more pictures.
I walked over to John Cheeks table and told him to grab his camera! He came over, and with all 8 of those Astros lined up, told him he better get some pictures because we may not see such an outstanding lineup of early Astros again. 3 of them were NASA knives! I'm still in awe of the occasion.
I thought last year was great with Art Green showcasing the Early Randall 1937-38 fancy spacer hunter, and it was, but these Astros....but then I'm just a bit partial.
Thanks again Scott and Gary for putting this program together.
Regards, Sam
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  #29  
Old 06-11-2019, 09:07 PM
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I have just been on cloud 9 since the meeting, trying to digest the info...f possible, can u send me a copy of that pic please to the shop...
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  #30  
Old 06-11-2019, 10:27 PM
jeepster jeepster is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dirty water View Post
Sam, what a great seminar!! You and Gary presented such a fantastic presentation, I believe it to be Blade's best EVER!! Y'all should consider writing a book! U certainly had enough information up there!!

Ronnie, met your daughter, very sweet girl, and she even took a photo with my father-in-law who was an original engineer on the Saturn 5 rockets!

Again Sam, BRAVO!!
Thanks Scott. She was super excited to meet your father-in-law. And you too. She is fascinated by anything NASA.
Thanks again.
Ronnie
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